Curriculum

Required Course Work

Each IGERT trainee must complete the following requirements over the course of their funding cycle (2-3 years, depending on individual). We recognize the need to allow flexibility in course selection and sequencing, based on needs specific to individual trainees. Requests for course substitutions and other reasonable deviations from the program of studies can be made to the Executive Committee.

IGERT Seminar

(1 credit) Offered: Autumn, Winter, Spring. Instructor: varies.

Weekly meeting of IGERT trainees and faculty; content varies by quarter;
This 3-quarter seminar is intended to be completed in the first year. The format of the seminar varies by quarter, and includes informal meetings and formal presentations by visiting scholars, professionals, and practitioners. Students who cannot complete the seminar in three consecutive quarters due to cruises, field work, or other research-related activities can request a deferment.

SMEA 550: Marine Social-Ecological Systems (3 credits)

Instructor: Terrie Klinger

First Offered: Spring 2013

Offering spring 2014: TTh 1:30-2:50 in FSH 108

This course will provide an introduction to social-ecological systems and case-study methodologies. It is required of each IGERT trainee. It is intended to be completed in the first year of the traineeship, though deferrals to the second year can be granted for those needing to complete cruises, field work, or other research-related activities off campus.

Science Communication Course or Workshop

NO minimum credit requirement; no grade required

Many of these courses are listed on the PCC website. The IGERT Program will offer a COMPASS training in alternate years, and a science film course could be offered, any of which would fulfill this requirement.

ONE course from any TWO of the three topical areas described below, for a total of 2 courses and 6 credits.

SMEA 507 International Organizations and Ocean Management (3 credits) Dolsak. Survey of the manner in which international regimes and organizations attempt to manage and regulate the uses of the ocean. Primary emphasis is on the analysis of the effectiveness of regimes and of processes that support or constrain these organizations. Prerequisite: SMEA 500 or permission of instructor. Offered: jointly with PB AF 538.

SMEA 521 Governmental Responses to Global Climate Change (3 credits) Dolsak. Exploration of major scientific, policy, and legal issues pertaining to problems of global climate change including regime design, use of climate models, impact on hydrology water resources, and forests.

SMEA 530 Development and the Environment (3 credits) Dolsak. Examines two intertwined concepts that are frequently in conflict, economic development and the environment. Examines sustainable development, growth management, sustainable yield, and corporate social responsibility; the emergence, effectiveness, and their relationships with democracy and equity. Offered: Autumn.

Topical Area II. Science Information for Decision-Making

ENVIR 503 Role of Scientific Information in Environmental Decisions (3 credits) Bostrom, Cullen. Examines how science contributes to decisions that affect the natural environment: how science and scientists help frame debates and decisions; how scientific findings are incorporated into decision-making processes; and how scientists and nonscientists deal with uncertainty.

Ocean/ESS/ATM S 586 Current Research in Climate Change ***(2 credits). Weekly lectures focusing on a particular aspect of climate (topic to change each year) from invited speakers (both UW and outside), plus one or two keynote speakers, followed by class discussion. Offered: jointly with ESS 586/OCEAN 586 **Because the content of this seminar course changes with instructor, prior approval is needed to ascertain whether it can be used to meet IGERT requirements.

SMEA 550: Marine Social-Ecological Systems (3 credits) This course will provide an introduction to social-ecological systems and case-study methodologies. It is required of each IGERT trainee. It is intended to be completed in the first year of the traineeship, though deferrals to the second year can be granted for those needing to complete cruises, field work, or other research-related activities off campus. Instructor: Terrie Klinger

Other courses in environmental or scientific ethics (e.g., courses offered by Baross or Nowell) can satisfy this requirement, as can other courses in environmental law or ocean law, WITH PERMISSION.